Coeur d’Alene River overflows, causes minor flooding

The Coeur d’Alene River in North Idaho has spilled over its banks this morning, causing minor flooding as a rush of rainwater and snow melt move out of the mountains. The river reached 43.6 feet this morning, which is about a half foot above flood stage. The river was cresting today and expected to begin falling tonight. Water is expected to cross access roads in the area and possibly seep into basements. Some homes there are protected by the Cataldo levee. Elsewhere, the National Weather Service is warning that flooding and small rock or mud slides are possible in other parts of the region. A flood watch was issued for northern counties of Washington and Idaho. Additional rain tonight could aggravate problems, the weather service said. Drier weather is expected starting Tuesday night. Sunday’s high of 54 in Spokane broke a daily record for Feb. 8, surpassing the old record of 53 from 1995. It was the third consecutive day in Spokane that the high achieved a new daily record. Saturday’s high was 54 and Friday reached 57, both daily records. Today’s high is forecasted to be 50, which would fall short of the record of 53 from 1918. Spokane has seen just under an inch of rain this month.